Author: Brittney Johnson

Falling for Granada: My First Solo Trip to Spain

Some destinations become special because of what you see there. Others become special because of what they represent.

For me, Granada was both.

In 2017, I traveled to Granada on my first solo trip to Spain. I was heading somewhere completely new on my own, and I had no idea that this trip would become the beginning of a much longer relationship with Spain.

Granada gave me history, mountains, incredible architecture, good food, nightlife, a Mediterranean beach day, and one sangria that I’ve been comparing every other sangria to ever since. If you’re considering Granada solo travel, these are the places and experiences that made my first visit so memorable.

It also gave me a few experiences I couldn’t possibly have planned.

Start With the Alhambra

If there’s one place I wouldn’t skip in Granada, it’s the Alhambra.

I had seen pictures before my trip, but they didn’t prepare me for how much detail there is once you’re actually inside. Walking through the complex and the Nasrid Palaces, I kept finding myself stopping to look more closely at the walls, arches, ceilings, and courtyards.

The Arabic inscriptions and intricate decorative patterns were especially fascinating to me.

I’d learned about the centuries of Muslim rule in Spain, but standing somewhere where that history was physically surrounding me made it feel completely different from reading about it. From there, you step outside and remember that you’re in Granada.

The views across the city are gorgeous, and depending on where you’re standing, the Sierra Nevada seems to be waiting in the background.

Travel Britten Tip: The Nasrid Palaces use timed admission, so this is one Granada attraction I wouldn’t leave until the last minute. Check the official Alhambra website for current ticket availability and visitor information before your trip.

Exploring Granada Beyond the Alhambra

The Alhambra may be Granada’s superstar, but I wouldn’t treat the city as somewhere you visit just to see one attraction. Part of what I loved was simply being there.

Granada has the kind of scenery that makes walking around feel like part of the sightseeing. Historic buildings, narrow streets, viewpoints, and glimpses of the Alhambra appear throughout the city.

And then there are those mountains.

Look Up at the Sierra Nevada

One of the things that surprised me most about Granada was just how beautiful the Sierra Nevada looked behind the city. When people imagine southern Spain, snow-covered mountains probably aren’t the first thing that comes to mind but there they were.

That contrast is part of what made Granada so memorable to me. I could spend one part of the trip surrounded by historic architecture with snowy mountains in the distance and another beside the Mediterranean.

Granada gave me a much different introduction to Spain than I had expected and I loved that!

Visit Federico García Lorca’s Granada

Another stop that meant something to me personally was Huerta de San Vicente, the former summer home of Spanish poet and playwright Federico García Lorca and his family. I’d learned about Lorca in school, so visiting somewhere connected to his life gave the experience a different meaning.

I already enjoy museums, but travel makes history and literature feel more tangible to me. Someone you’ve previously encountered through a book or classroom suddenly becomes connected to an actual house, neighborhood and city.

For anyone interested in literature, history, or Spanish culture, Lorca’s connection to Granada adds another layer to exploring the city.

Have the Sangria—But Maybe Don’t Start With the Best One LOL

One of the first things I did in Granada was go to La Bella y la Bestia and order a sangria. This turned out to be a mistake. Not because it was bad but because it was too good.

It was the best sangria I had during the entire trip, which meant every sangria afterward was competing with the first one. None of them won. LOL I honestly wish I’d saved it for the end.

This was back in 2017, so I’m definitely not telling you to build your current Granada itinerary around a restaurant I visited years ago. But that sangria has somehow survived in my memory alongside palaces, mountains and beaches, which I think says everything that needs to be said about it.

Leave Room for an Unexpected Night Out

One of my favorite Granada stories had nothing to do with my itinerary. I simply randomly ran into a friend from college.

In Spain.

While traveling solo. What are the chances?

We ended up going to a dance club together, which obviously wasn’t something I’d planned when I started organizing my trip.

Experiences like that are one of the reasons I’ve learned not to schedule every minute when I travel. Planning is important, especially when you’re traveling alone, but some of the best stories happen in the spaces you didn’t plan.

Granada gave me one of those.

Take a Day Trip to Almuñécar

If you want to trade Granada’s historic streets and mountain scenery for the Mediterranean for a day, Almuñécar makes a great change of pace.

I went there with my college friend for a beach day, and suddenly my first trip to Spain looked completely different.

There was rocky coastline, blue Mediterranean water and seafood. I tried swordfish for the first time, and it was pretty good!

But apparently the beach also came with entertainment. At one point, a random dog walked over to us carrying a tennis ball. He dropped it. That was it. No introduction. No discussion. We had apparently been selected for fetch duty. LOL Naturally, we accepted our assignment.

It’s such a tiny memory compared with visiting somewhere like the Alhambra, but it’s also one of the stories I still remember from the trip. That’s travel for ya!

What I’d Know Before Visiting Granada

My trip happened in 2017, so I wouldn’t want someone planning Granada today to rely solely on what things were like when I visited.

The biggest thing I’d plan ahead now is the Alhambra. Entry to the Nasrid Palaces is timed, and availability can be limited. Buy through the official Alhambra ticketing system and check current visitor information before you go rather than relying on an old blog post—including this one—for changing ticket details.

I’d also bring comfortable shoes. Granada is a city you’ll want to explore on foot, and between sightseeing and wandering around historic areas, this isn’t the trip for discovering that your cute shoes become instruments of torture after three hours. I’ve learned that particular travel lesson the hard way.

Give yourself enough time for Granada beyond the Alhambra, too. The palace complex deserves its place at the top of the list, but I would have missed a lot of what I enjoyed about Granada if I’d treated the city as nothing more than a stop for its most famous attraction.

And if you have enough time, consider getting out of the city for a day. My Almuñécar trip gave me a completely different view of southern Spain without taking away from my time exploring Granada.

Is Granada Worth Visiting?

For me, easily.

Granada managed to fit an incredible amount into one trip: the Alhambra and Nasrid Palaces, Islamic architecture, Federico García Lorca, the Sierra Nevada, food and sangria, nightlife, and a Mediterranean beach day.

But that’s not the only reason I remember it.

I remember randomly finding a college friend thousands of miles from home. I remember the dog who decided I was going to play fetch whether I’d planned to or not. I remember that first sangria and I remember standing in Granada realizing that traveling somewhere alone didn’t mean the experience had to feel lonely.

The Trip That Started Something Bigger

I didn’t know it in 2017, but Granada wasn’t going to be my only experience in Spain.

Years later, I would return and experience a completely different side of the country in Madrid. More trips would take me to other parts of Spain, each one giving me another reason to come back.

But Granada was first.

It was my first solo trip to Spain, my first introduction to Andalucía, and the place where so many of my earliest memories of the country began. Maybe that’s why Granada still stands out.

Somewhere between the Alhambra, snowy mountains, Mediterranean coast, dancing, sangria, and one very demanding dog with a tennis ball, I fell for it.

And my Spain adventures were only getting started.

September 7, 2026
Barcelona, Again and Again: What Keeps Bringing Me Back

After three visits, my Barcelona solo travel experiences have started to blend into one big collection of Gothic streets, Gaudí architecture, harbor views, cheap tacos, hostel stays, unexpected reunions, and even a couple of nights sleeping at the airport.

Barcelona wasn’t my first experience in Spain—that honor belongs to Granada—and it wasn’t my last. But there’s clearly something about this city that keeps pulling me back.

Sleeping at Barcelona Airport to Save Money

We might as well start with one of the less glamorous realities of budget travel.

On two separate trips, I had overnight flights that arrived in Barcelona with only a few hours before my next flight. Paying for a hotel or hostel, traveling into the city, sleeping for a couple of hours, and then turning around and heading straight back to the airport just didn’t make financial sense.

So I slept at the airport. Or at least I attempted to sleep. LOL

The airport was absolutely freezing, and those bright terminal lights aren’t exactly designed to create a relaxing bedtime atmosphere. Eventually, I managed to find a snug little corner that was somewhat darker than everywhere else and settled in for the night.

Was it luxurious? Absolutely not. Did it save me the cost of a room for a few hours of sleep? Sure did.

I wouldn’t necessarily recommend planning your Barcelona vacation around airport sleepovers, but budget travel sometimes involves deciding which comforts you’re willing to give up so you can spend your money somewhere else.

And apparently, I’ve made that particular decision twice!

Where I’ve Stayed in Barcelona

Fortunately, I haven’t spent every night in Barcelona sleeping in an airport terminal.

Across my visits, I’ve stayed at several different properties, including TOC Barcelona, Catalonia Hotels & Resorts, and Safestay Hostel. Staying in both hostels and hotels has given me some flexibility depending on my budget and the type of trip I was taking.

For solo travelers especially, I think it’s worth looking beyond the nightly price when choosing where to stay. Location, access to public transportation, reviews, and how easily you can get around the city can make a cheaper accommodation a much better—or much worse—deal.

Getting Lost in the Gothic Quarter

One of my favorite things to do in Barcelona doesn’t require an admission ticket at all: walk.

I loved exploring the Gothic Quarter, with its narrow streets, old buildings, little squares, and the feeling that you never quite know what you’ll find around the next corner. Barcelona’s official tourism site describes the neighborhood as the historic Roman and medieval core of the city, and Barcelona Cathedral sits right in the middle of it.

I also spent time walking along La Rambla. It’s touristy, yes, but it’s one of those Barcelona places I still think is worth experiencing at least once. The pedestrian boulevard stretches about 1.2 kilometers through the city and connects with sights like the Boqueria Market, Liceu, and the Columbus Monument near the waterfront.

Sometimes my favorite travel memories aren’t elaborate tours. They’re simply wandering around with nowhere particularly urgent to be.

Seeing Barcelona Cathedral

While wandering through the Gothic Quarter, I also stopped to see Barcelona Cathedral.

Barcelona has no shortage of impressive churches, and this one can sometimes get overshadowed by a certain very famous basilica elsewhere in the city. But seeing the cathedral surrounded by the old streets of the Gothic Quarter was still worth the stop.

And speaking of that other church…

Finally Seeing the Sagrada Família

Of course, there was one Barcelona attraction I absolutely had to see. The Sagrada Família.

I’d seen pictures of it plenty of times, but pictures don’t really prepare you for just how massive it feels when you’re standing there looking up at it.

One of the things I loved was how easy it was to reach by Metro. You can take either the L2 or L5 to the Sagrada Família station, and suddenly you’re basically standing in front of one of the most recognizable buildings in the world.

Even surrounded by construction cranes during my visits, I thought it was beautiful.

I was traveling on a budget, so I didn’t pay to go inside. That means I can’t tell you whether the interior is worth the admission price from personal experience. What I can tell you is that I spent plenty of time staring at the exterior. Gaudí definitely wasn’t into boring buildings.

If you want to visit the interior now, tickets are sold online through the official Sagrada Família website.

Experiencing Gaudí’s Barcelona on a Budget

Sagrada Família is only the beginning when it comes to Antoni Gaudí’s influence on Barcelona.

His architecture and artwork appear throughout the city, and I came across several of his famous creations while exploring. Unfortunately, my budget and my sightseeing wish list weren’t always on speaking terms.

So I admired quite a bit from the outside. Would I like to return someday with a dedicated Gaudí budget? Absolutely!

One place in particular taught me an important lesson.

My Park Güell Mistake

Park Güell was high on my list of places I wanted to see (Thank you, Cheetah Girls!).

What I didn’t realize beforehand was that the part containing many of Gaudí’s famous works required admission. I also wasn’t prepared for the journey uphill. My fault for not doing more research!

So imagine me making my way toward Park Güell thinking I was simply going to stroll into this beautiful Barcelona park, only to discover that 1) I should have researched the ticket situation and 2) there were much smarter ways of getting there than what I was doing.

Lesson learned.

And this is one Barcelona mistake you don’t have to repeat. As of September 2026, general admission is €18, with timed tourist entry. The official transportation information also says that from the Lesseps and Vallcarca Metro stations, the walk is around 20 minutes and recommends routes with escalators; buses H6 and D40 can leave you about a 10-minute walk away.

In other words: research before you start climbing. Your legs will thank you.

Seeing Barcelona From the Water

One experience I really enjoyed was taking a boat trip around Barcelona’s harbor.

After spending so much time exploring the city on foot, it was nice to see Barcelona from a completely different perspective—and, admittedly, to sit down for a while.

There’s something about seeing a coastal city from the water that changes how you look at it. The buildings, skyline, harbor, and Mediterranean setting all make a little more sense when you’re looking back toward the city instead of standing in the middle of it.

Visiting Tibidabo

Another place that caught my attention was Tibidabo.

After seeing it perched above Barcelona from different parts of the city, I knew I had to make my way up there. And honestly, the views alone were worth it. Between the church, the amusement park, and Barcelona stretching out below, it felt like seeing the city from a completely different angle.

Finding €1 Tacos at Los Güeros

Now for something equally important: food. One of my favorite finds was Los Güeros Taquería and its famous €1 tacos.

Barcelona isn’t necessarily the cheapest city I’ve visited, so finding inexpensive food that I actually wanted to go back for was a win. And honestly, when you’re traveling on a budget and someone tells you there are delicious €1 tacos nearby, that’s not simply a restaurant recommendation.

That’s important financial information.

Drinks and Neon at Moon Café

My favorite bar find in Barcelona was Moon Café, a cute gay bar with neon décor and really good drinks.

It was colorful, fun, and exactly the kind of place I enjoy discovering when I travel. Major attractions are great, but places like this often end up giving a city some personality in my memories.

Sagrada Família might be the picture everyone recognizes. But neon lights and a yummy cocktail can make the vacation album too.

Running Into the Same Friend…Again

And then there’s one of my favorite recurring travel stories. During one of my Barcelona visits, I ran into a friend I’d originally met in Copenhagen. This wouldn’t be quite as funny if this were the only time we’d unexpectedly crossed paths in another city.

It isn’t.

Somehow, I’ve managed to run into this same friend multiple times in different places. At this point, I’m starting to think Europe is significantly smaller than the maps suggest.

One of my favorite things about traveling has been meeting people I never would have encountered otherwise. Even better is realizing that sometimes those friendships don’t stay confined to the place where they started.

What Three Trips to Barcelona Taught Me

After three visits, I still don’t feel like I’ve “finished” Barcelona.

There are things I haven’t done. I haven’t explored the inside of Sagrada Família. I still want the full Cheetah Girls Park Güell experience (IYKYK!). There are also more Gaudí buildings I’d love to see properly.

But I don’t think you have to check off every famous attraction to have experienced a city.

My Barcelona memories are a mixture of the big things and the small ones: staring up at Sagrada Família, wandering through the Gothic Quarter, seeing the city from the harbor, discovering murals, drinking cocktails under neon lights, eating cheap tacos, running into an old travel friend and curling up in an airport corner because I refused to pay for a hotel room I was only going to use for a few hours.

Twice.

*A Note About Overtourism in Barcelona*

I love Barcelona. I’ve visited three times, and the fact that I’ve returned says plenty about how I feel about the city. But loving a destination also means being honest about the impact tourism can have on the people who actually live there.

In recent years, Barcelona has become one of the most visible examples of Europe’s struggle with overtourism. Residents have raised concerns about crowded neighborhoods, rising housing costs, and the number of homes being used as short-term tourist rentals. Those frustrations have also led to highly publicized anti-tourism demonstrations.

That doesn’t mean every Barcelona resident is against tourism. The reality is more complicated. Tourism is an important part of the city’s economy, while many residents also believe the volume and type of tourism need to be managed differently. Barcelona itself has been taking steps to address those concerns, including plans to phase out licenses for thousands of tourist apartments by 2028.

As a visitor, I don’t think the answer is to stop traveling to Barcelona. I think it’s to remember that Barcelona isn’t an amusement park—it is somebody’s home.

That can mean staying in legal accommodations, supporting locally owned businesses, respecting residential neighborhoods, using public spaces responsibly, and remembering that the goal isn’t just to get everything you can out of a destination. It’s also to leave it as a place where the people who live there can continue to enjoy their own city.

Is Barcelona Good for Solo Travel?

Based on my own experiences, Barcelona is a city I’d return to as a solo traveler. There’s plenty to explore independently, public transportation makes major sights accessible, and you don’t need to fill every day with expensive attractions to enjoy being there.

If you’re planning your own solo trip, I’d budget for the paid attractions that matter most to you instead of feeling like you need to buy admission to everything. Leave some time for simply walking, too. Barcelona is one of those cities where wandering around can become part of the itinerary.

Staying Safe From Pickpockets in Barcelona

Barcelona has always felt comfortable for me to explore on my own, but pickpocketing is something travelers should take seriously. Like in many heavily visited cities, crowded streets, tourist attractions and public transportation are places where you want to pay extra attention to your belongings.

I usually keep my bag zipped and close to my body, and I don’t leave my phone sitting on a table or somewhere that’s easy to grab. A crossbody bag worn toward the front is a good option in crowded areas, and avoid keeping your phone or wallet in an easy-to-reach back pocket. On the Metro, around major attractions, and anywhere you’re surrounded by people, simply being aware of what’s happening around you can go a long way.

I wouldn’t let the possibility of pickpocketing scare me away from Barcelona, but I also wouldn’t ignore it. Enjoy the city, just don’t make your belongings easy to walk away with. For more safety tips, click here.

Barcelona, I’ll Probably See You Again

Granada was where my relationship with Spain began. Madrid gave me rooftop views, flamenco, and unexpected adventures. Málaga gave me tapas, new friends, Caminito del Rey and a tour bus that left without me. LOL

Barcelona apparently decided one visit wasn’t enough.

Three trips later, I still have things I want to see and experiences I’ve missed. Maybe that’s exactly why I keep coming back.

September 4, 2026
The Girlfriends’ Guide to Urban Getaways

Sometimes you don’t need a week at the beach or a month-long European adventure. Sometimes you just need to grab your suitcase, text your girlfriends, and disappear to another city for a few days.

A girls’ trip is the perfect excuse to reconnect with old friends, celebrate something special, or simply escape your everyday routine. And you don’t necessarily have to leave the country to make it memorable. Some of my favorite girls’ trip destinations are right here in the U.S., with good food, plenty to see, a little nightlife, and enough going on to keep everyone entertained.

From rooftop cocktails and incredible restaurants to museums, shopping, live music, and those late-night hotel-room conversations that somehow become one of the best parts of the trip, an urban getaway gives you plenty to do without requiring a complicated itinerary.

If you’re trying to keep the trip affordable, these tips for finding cheap travel accommodations can help you compare your options without automatically choosing the cheapest room.

So start the group chat. It’s time to plan a trip.

1. New York City, New York

Best for: The girlfriends who want a little bit of everything

New York City is one of those places where everyone in the group can want something completely different and somehow still end up happy. Art, food, theater, shopping, history, nightlife, parks—you could visit several times and still barely scratch the surface.

I’ve visited Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, walked across the Brooklyn Bridge, checked out the Empire State Building, and spent time at the World Trade Center Memorial. Each gives you a completely different side of the city, which is one of the things I love about New York.

Then there’s the entertainment. I saw Stranger Things on Broadway and attended a taping of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Experiences like those are part of what makes NYC such a fun girlfriends’ getaway. You can turn an ordinary weekend into something you couldn’t really recreate back home.

And the food? I had some of the best pizza and cheesecake I’ve ever eaten. New York, I respect you for that alone.

Girlfriend getaway tip

Don’t try to conquer all of New York in one weekend. Pick a few neighborhoods and experiences everyone really wants to do and leave room for wandering, eating, and changing your plans.

You can’t see everything anyway. Clearly, you’ll just have to come back.

2. Los Angeles, California

Best for: Theme parks, entertainment and California sunshine

Los Angeles can be a great choice when your group wants something playful rather than a traditional sightseeing weekend.

For me, that meant Disneyland and Universal Studios.

And as a big Harry Potter fan, you can probably guess which part won. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter was the highlight of my trip. (Wassup, my fellow Ravenclaws?!)

Give me Hogwarts, Butterbeer and a wand and apparently I’m very easy to please.

I also made it to the beach, although California didn’t exactly cooperate with my plans. It was too cold to get into the water, which means that despite traveling all the way to the West Coast, I’m still waiting to actually touch the Pacific Ocean.

One day, Pacific. One day.

Girlfriend getaway tip

Los Angeles is enormous and attractions can be surprisingly far apart. Group your plans geographically instead of bouncing back and forth across the city.

Nobody wants the main memory from girls’ weekend to be sitting in LA traffic.

3. New Orleans, Louisiana

Best for: Food, music, nightlife and a trip with personality

New Orleans doesn’t feel like just another American city. That’s exactly why I think it works so well for a girlfriends’ getaway.

When I stopped there during my cross-country road trip, I packed quite a bit into a relatively short visit. There were beignets at Café Du Monde, shrimp and grits, dinner at Tito’s Ceviche & Pisco, and—because apparently I was committed to experiencing New Orleans properly—Hand Grenades on Bourbon Street. New Orleans is one of those cities where eating can legitimately become part of your sightseeing itinerary.

But don’t make the mistake of assuming the city begins and ends with Bourbon Street. The French Quarter, architecture, music, restaurants and overall personality of New Orleans give you plenty to experience outside the nightlife.

Girlfriend getaway tip

Leave some empty space in your itinerary here. Walk. Eat. Listen to music. Wander into somewhere you didn’t plan on visiting.

New Orleans is a good city for letting the trip happen a little bit.

4. Miami, Florida

Best for: Beach days, street art and nightlife

Miami solves a very important girls’ trip dilemma: Beach vacation or city getaway?

Why choose?

I’ve spent time at the beach, explored the murals around the art district, and experienced Miami’s nightlife at a couple of dance clubs.

I love street art and graffiti, so seeing the murals was one of those activities that fit me perfectly. Give me a neighborhood full of colorful walls and I’ll probably disappear with my camera for a while.

I also went to Emo Nite at Club Space, which is exactly the kind of random travel memory that ends up being more memorable than whatever carefully planned activity was supposed to happen.

And I have to give an honorable mention to Flanigan’s. The bar food? So good. Sometimes travel memories are historic landmarks. Sometimes they’re really good bar food. Both are valid.

Girlfriend getaway tip

Talk about what kind of Miami weekend everyone wants before you arrive. Beach lounging, art, restaurants and nightlife can absolutely coexist, but things go much smoother when everyone knows whether this is primarily a relaxation trip or a we’re-going-out-tonight trip.

5. Nashville, Tennessee

Best for: Birthdays, bachelorettes, live music and celebrating just about anything

Nashville has a special place in my heart, and of all the girls trip destinations on this list, it’s probably the one I’ve personally tested the most.

I’ve been multiple times because I have family there, but some of my favorite Nashville memories have come from celebrations: birthdays, bachelorette parties and even New Year’s Eve. So when I tell you Nashville works for a girlfriends’ getaway, this one has been thoroughly field-tested.

Live music is obviously a huge part of the experience. I’ve gotten to see Keith Urban, Chris Young and Kane Brown perform there, and there’s something about being in Nashville that makes a concert or night out feel even more fun.

It’s also one of those destinations that already seems to understand the assignment when a group of women arrives ready to celebrate.

Girlfriend getaway tip

Nashville is popular for group trips for a reason, but don’t feel like your entire weekend has to revolve around Broadway.

Enjoy the nightlife, absolutely. Then give yourselves time to experience some of the city beyond the busiest party areas too.

And if you’re celebrating a birthday or bachelorette? Nashville knows what to do with you.

6. San Francisco, California

Best for: Iconic sights, neighborhoods and girlfriends who don’t mind hills

San Francisco gave me some great memories. It also taught me something very important about myself: I was apparently not nearly as in shape as I thought I was. Those hills are disrespectful!

There are plenty of iconic sights to build a girlfriends’ weekend around. I’ve visited the Golden Gate Bridge, seen the Painted Ladies that every Full House fan recognizes, and tracked down the house used in Mrs. Doubtfire.

Basically, if a house appeared in a movie or television show from my childhood, apparently I needed to see it.

My friend and I also had some delicious drinks at a tiki bar and ate at MAC’D, a build-your-own macaroni and cheese spot (Sadly, the SF location has been permanently closed, but there is apparently another location in Portland, OR). I’m not even going to pretend customized mac and cheese isn’t exactly the kind of activity I want on vacation.

If San Francisco makes your shortlist, my 48 hours in San Francisco itinerary can help you plan a quick weekend in the city.

Girlfriend getaway tip

Bring comfortable shoes. Seriously. San Francisco is beautiful, but those hills do not care about your cute vacation outfit or your cardiovascular limitations.

Plan strategically, use public transportation when it makes sense, and save some energy for actually enjoying your evening.

How to Plan a Girls’ Trip Without Ruining the Friendship

The destination is only half the equation. Traveling with friends can be amazing but even the best girls’ trip destinations can’t save a vacation if everyone arrives with completely different expectations.

It can also reveal that your best friend requires precisely 94 minutes to get ready every morning while you require twelve. You learn things about people when you travel together.

Before booking anything, have a conversation about expectations. And if you’re trying to keep everyone organized without spending more money, a few of my favorite free travel apps can make planning, navigating, and splitting expenses easier.

Talk About Money First

Please do this.

You don’t need everyone’s bank statements, but you should have a general conversation about the budget before anyone books a flight. One person’s idea of an affordable hotel might be another person’s entire monthly grocery budget.

Talk about accommodations, transportation, restaurants, activities, shopping, nightlife and any planned splurges. Everyone should have a realistic idea of what the trip will cost before committing.

Money conversations can feel awkward. Money arguments during vacation feel considerably more awkward.

Decide What Everyone Actually Wants to Do

Some people travel to relax. Some people wake up at 6:00 a.m. with a clipboard. Know which people you’re traveling with.

Ask everyone to choose one or two things they really want to do and build the itinerary around those priorities. That way, everyone gets something they’re excited about without one person controlling the entire trip.

Don’t Schedule Every Minute

You do not need to spend every second together.

I’ll say it again: You do not need to spend every second together.

If one person wants to shop and another wants to visit a museum, split up for a couple of hours and meet for dinner. Everyone will survive. In fact, a little independence can make group travel considerably more enjoyable.

Choose Your Accommodation Carefully

For a girlfriend getaway, location can make a huge difference. Staying somewhere central may cost more, but it can simplify transportation and make it easier for everyone to come and go.

Think about the number of beds and bathrooms, neighborhood, transportation options, walking distance, safety and everyone’s budget.

And please pay attention to the bathroom situation. Four women. One bathroom. Dinner reservation at 7:00. You do the math.

Make Dinner Reservations When Necessary

Spontaneity is fun until six hungry people are standing on a sidewalk at 8:00 p.m. discovering every restaurant nearby has a two-hour wait.

If there’s somewhere the group really wants to eat, make a reservation when possible. Leave some meals spontaneous. Plan the important ones.

Take the Group Pictures

Someone volunteer. Bring a small tripod if that’s your thing. Ask another traveler. Use the timer. Whatever.

Just make sure you get pictures with everyone in them. It’s surprisingly easy to return from a group vacation with 700 pictures and realize the person who took most of them is barely visible in any.

And don’t obsess over getting the perfect shot. The blurry picture where everyone is laughing might eventually become your favorite.

The Best Part of a Girlfriends’ Getaway

The best girls’ trip destinations give you good restaurants, fun things to do, a cute hotel, great pictures and maybe a little nightlife. But the destination is only part of what makes the trip memorable. Years later, you probably won’t remember every restaurant or attraction.

You’ll remember laughing until your stomach hurt. Getting lost together. The inside jokes that make absolutely no sense to anyone else. Getting ready for dinner while music plays in the hotel room. The friend who packed enough clothes for a six-month expedition.

You’ll remember the ridiculous thing that happened on Day 2 that you’re all still talking about five years later. That’s the real reason to take the trip. Life gets busy. People move. Jobs change. Relationships change. Schedules become impossible. And suddenly the friends you once saw every week are people you’re trying to coordinate dinner with three months in advance.

Sometimes you need to put the trip on the calendar. So send the group text. Pick the city. Set the budget. Book the room and start planning your next urban getaway. Because there’s always a reason to postpone a trip.

Sometimes you just have to decide you’re going anyway.

September 3, 2026
48 Hours in San Francisco: Your Guide to the City by the Bay

If you’re lucky enough to find yourself with 48 hours in San Francisco, and unlucky enough to have no clue where to start to explore the countless sights—read on.

The City by the Bay is famous for its fog (affectionately known as Karl), its cable cars, steep hills, Ghirardelli chocolate, and of course—the infamous Golden Gate Bridge.

Two days may not be enough to experience everything San Francisco has to offer, but it’s definitely enough time to get a taste of what makes this California city so special. And if you’re still figuring out what to bring, my travel packing tips can help you pack for those unpredictable San Francisco temperatures.

Grab your walking shoes—and maybe a jacket—and let’s explore San Francisco!

Day 1: See the San Francisco Classics

With only 48 hours in the city, your first day is all about experiencing some of the places San Francisco is famous for.

And we’re starting with the big one.

Golden Gate Bridge

Can you really say you’ve been to San Francisco without seeing the Golden Gate Bridge?

Probably. But why would you? Seeing the bridge in person is completely different from seeing it in pictures. Give yourself enough time to actually enjoy the views instead of treating it like a five-minute photo stop.

Also remember: San Francisco’s weather has a personality of its own.

You might arrive expecting a perfectly clear view and find Karl the Fog waiting for you instead. Don’t let that ruin the experience. The fog is practically a local celebrity.

I was lucky enough to get a pretty clear view when I visited, and naturally I had to get a picture. Some landmarks are famous for a reason, and this is definitely one of them.

Visit the Painted Ladies

Next, make your way to another one of those instantly recognizable San Francisco sights: the Painted Ladies.

If you grew up watching Full House, there’s a good chance these colorful Victorian houses already feel strangely familiar. Seeing them with the San Francisco skyline in the background is one of those classic city views that’s worth making time for.

You don’t need hours here. Walk around, take some pictures, enjoy the park and then keep exploring.

Find the Mrs. Doubtfire House

Apparently my San Francisco sightseeing itinerary was heavily influenced by movies and television, because I also had to see the house from Mrs. Doubtfire. I regret nothing.

Sometimes travel isn’t about finding the most obscure attraction nobody else knows about. Sometimes it’s standing outside a house you recognize from a movie you’ve watched a hundred times and thinking: Yep. This is cool.

Those little moments are part of the fun.

Explore Fisherman’s Wharf

Next, make your way toward Fisherman’s Wharf. Yes, it’s touristy. You’re also a tourist. Embrace it.

The waterfront area is full of restaurants, shops, attractions and plenty of people doing exactly what you’re doing—trying to experience as much of San Francisco as possible.

Walk around, enjoy the waterfront and give yourself some time to explore instead of racing to the next attraction.

Check Out Pier 39

While you’re in the Fisherman’s Wharf area, head toward Pier 39.

Walk around the pier, check out the shops, enjoy the waterfront views and see what’s happening.

And keep an eye—or an ear—out for the sea lions. They’re not exactly known for being subtle.

Grab Some Ghirardelli Chocolate

You knew this was coming. You’re in San Francisco. There is chocolate. We need to investigate.

Make your way toward Ghirardelli Square and treat yourself to something sweet.

Vacation calories don’t count…

Okay, they absolutely do. But that’s a problem for Future You. Current You is in San Francisco. Eat the chocolate.

Ride a Cable Car

Few things scream San Francisco quite like a cable car climbing one of the city’s ridiculously steep hills.

It’s touristy. It’s iconic. And if this is your first trip to the city, it’s worth experiencing at least once.

A cable-car ride also gives your legs a temporary break from San Francisco’s hills, which they’ll probably appreciate by this point.

Because those hills? They are not playing around.

I learned very quickly in San Francisco that I was apparently not in nearly as good of shape as I thought I was. LOL I spent a lot of time walking uphill and wondering why breathing had suddenly become so difficult.

San Francisco will humble you.

End Day 1 With Dinner, Drinks and a San Francisco Sunset

After a full day of sightseeing, slow down.

You’ve already covered some of San Francisco’s biggest sights. You do not need to squeeze another six attractions into the final two hours of your day.

One of my food stops during my trip was MAC’D, a build-your-own macaroni and cheese spot where you could basically create your dream bowl of comfort food. Sadly, the San Francisco location has since permanently closed, but I’m still glad I got to try it while it was around. And yes, I have photographic evidence of the mac and cheese because apparently this was an important moment in my life. LOL

I also ended up having drinks at a tiki bar, which was a fun change of pace after a full day of sightseeing. Find somewhere interesting for dinner or drinks, enjoy the evening and give your feet a break.

You’re going to need them again tomorrow.

Day 2: Neighborhoods, Food & More Exploring

Day 1 gave you the postcard version of San Francisco. For Day 2, slow things down a little and experience more of the city itself.

Explore Chinatown

Start your second day in Chinatown.

San Francisco’s Chinatown is one of the city’s most historic and recognizable neighborhoods, and it’s an area worth experiencing rather than simply walking through on your way somewhere else.

Give yourself time to wander. Check out the shops. Look at the architecture. But most importantly: Come hungry. This is not the morning to eat an enormous hotel breakfast. Save some room.

Travel and food belong together.

Give Yourself Time to Wander

Here’s something I would intentionally build into a 48-hour San Francisco itinerary: Time to wander. Not every minute needs a reservation.

San Francisco is the kind of city where you can turn a corner and suddenly find an interesting street, beautiful building, café, shop or view you didn’t know existed. Give yourself permission to deviate from the itinerary.

You only have 48 hours, but that doesn’t mean you need to experience them at maximum speed.

Find Those Classic San Francisco Views

San Francisco’s hills may make your legs question your life choices, but they also create some incredible views. As you’re exploring, stop and look around.

The combination of hills, colorful buildings, water, bridges, cable cars and fog gives San Francisco a visual identity unlike almost anywhere else.

This is one of those cities where getting from one attraction to another can become part of the sightseeing.

Assuming you survive the hill.

Eat Something Memorable

San Francisco is a fantastic food city, so don’t let your entire culinary experience consist of whatever happens to be closest to the tourist attractions.

Try something different. Ask for recommendations. Explore neighborhood restaurants. Grab something in Chinatown. Have seafood near the waterfront if that’s your thing. I also made an In-N-Out stop while I was in California. It may not be uniquely San Francisco, but when you’re visiting from the East Coast, sometimes trying the West Coast fast-food institution is part of the experience.

And obviously we’ve already established that chocolate is a requirement. You have only 48 hours. Make those meals count.

Leave Room for Something You Didn’t Plan

By your second afternoon, resist the urge to cram every remaining San Francisco attraction onto a checklist.

Maybe you discover a neighborhood you want to explore longer. Maybe somebody recommends a restaurant. Maybe you find a bar that looks fun. Maybe the weather is finally perfect and you decide you’d rather sit somewhere with a great view than rush across town. Do that.

Some of my favorite travel memories have come from things I didn’t plan before the trip. An itinerary should help you experience a destination.

It shouldn’t hold you hostage.

A Few Things to Know Before Visiting San Francisco

Before you start packing, there are a couple of things San Francisco would probably like you to know.

Dress in Layers

California does not automatically mean hot.

San Francisco can be surprisingly cool, windy and foggy—even when another part of California is experiencing completely different weather.

A sunny afternoon can turn chilly quickly, so having a light jacket or sweater with you can save you from buying an emergency San Francisco sweatshirt that says:

I underestimated Karl the Fog and all I got was this overpriced hoodie.

Although, honestly, that’s a pretty good souvenir.

Don’t Underestimate the Hills

I cannot emphasize this enough. ♫ The hills are alive with the sound of…gasping for air ♫ LOL

San Francisco is walkable in the sense that you can walk around it. Whether your legs will agree with that definition is another matter.

Wear comfortable shoes. Wearing the wrong shoes is one of those common travel mistakes that can become painfully obvious in a city this hilly. This is not the trip for breaking in brand-new footwear. Use public transportation when it makes sense, take breaks and don’t feel like you have to walk absolutely everywhere just to prove something. Your vacation is not an endurance competition.

And if you find yourself halfway up a hill pretending you stopped because you wanted to admire the architecture rather than because you desperately need to catch your breath…

I understand.

Don’t Try to See Everything

This might be the most important part of planning a short city break.

You cannot see all of San Francisco in 48 hours and you don’t need to.

Choose the experiences that interest you most and give yourself enough time to actually enjoy them. A trip filled with eight memorable experiences is better than one filled with 27 blurry attractions you barely remember because you were constantly checking the time.

Is 48 Hours in San Francisco Enough?

Enough to see everything? Absolutely not.

Enough to have a fantastic introduction to the city? Definitely.

In two days, you can see the Golden Gate Bridge, visit the Painted Ladies, explore Fisherman’s Wharf and Chinatown, ride a cable car, grab some Ghirardelli chocolate, battle the hills, meet Karl the Fog and still leave knowing there’s much more waiting for you and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

A good destination should leave you wanting more. If you only have 48 hours in San Francisco, the key is choosing a mix of iconic sights and time to simply enjoy the city.

Your 48-Hour San Francisco Itinerary at a Glance

Day 1:
Golden Gate Bridge → Painted Ladies → Mrs. Doubtfire house → Fisherman’s Wharf → Pier 39 → Ghirardelli Square → cable car → dinner, drinks and sunset

Day 2:
Chinatown → neighborhood exploring → memorable food → wandering → city views → one last San Francisco adventure

Don’t worry about seeing everything. You can’t. Instead, focus on experiencing the city.

Take pictures. Eat something good. Walk down streets that look interesting. Ride the cable car. Laugh when the fog ruins the perfect Golden Gate Bridge photo you had planned.

That’s travel.

And after 48 hours in the City by the Bay, don’t be surprised if you’re already planning a return trip. San Francisco also made my list of favorite girls’ trip destinations if you’re planning a city getaway with friends.

September 1, 2026
Island Paradise Unveiled: Why You Should Visit Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico and I needed a second chance. My first visit came after the COVID shutdown, when restrictions were still affecting what I could see and do. I enjoyed being there, but I definitely didn’t get the full Puerto Rico experience.

So when my 31st birthday rolled around in May 2022, I went back.

This time, a friend and I stayed at an Airbnb in Condado, San Juan, and I finally got to experience more of what makes Puerto Rico such a fun destination—from exploring Old San Juan and historic forts to snorkeling with sea turtles, kayaking at night, eating some seriously good mofongo, and learning a couple of travel-planning lessons the hard way.

And if you’ve been wondering whether you should visit Puerto Rico, my answer is pretty simple: Go.

Here are a few reasons why.

Explore Colorful Old San Juan

One of my favorite parts of the trip was exploring Old San Juan.

Between the colorful buildings, cobblestone streets, plazas, restaurants and historic architecture, this is one of those places where simply walking around becomes part of the experience.

Don’t rush it.

Put on comfortable shoes, grab your camera and explore. Turn down a side street because it looks interesting. Stop somewhere for a drink. Grab something to eat. Take pictures of buildings you weren’t looking for.

Sometimes wandering is the itinerary and Old San Juan is a very good place to wander.

Experience Puerto Rico’s History

Puerto Rico isn’t just a beach destination, and I’m glad we made time for some of its historic sites.

We visited Castillo San Felipe del Morro, a massive fort that gives you a completely different experience from spending your entire vacation near the beach. Castillo San Cristóbal is also worth a visit if you have time.

Walking around these historic sites overlooking the water was a reminder of one of the things I enjoy most about Puerto Rico.

You don’t have to choose between vacation and culture. You can have both. One minute you’re walking through centuries of history. Later, you’re drinking a piña colada.

Balance.

Stay Near the Action in Condado

For this trip, my friend and I stayed at an Airbnb in Condado, which gave us a convenient base in San Juan.

For a birthday trip, I liked being somewhere that made it relatively easy to combine sightseeing with restaurants, beach time and going out. If you’re trying to keep accommodation costs under control, I also have 15 tips for finding cheap travel accommodations without automatically sacrificing comfort or location.

Where you stay can make a huge difference on a shorter trip. If most of the things you want to do are around San Juan, staying somewhere central can save you from spending a ridiculous amount of your vacation simply getting from one place to another.

Because I did not fly to Puerto Rico to spend my birthday sitting in traffic.

Go Snorkeling With Sea Turtles

This was easily one of the highlights of my trip.

My friend and I went snorkeling, and we got to swim with sea turtles.

There is something completely different about seeing wildlife in its natural environment instead of through glass or on a screen. You’re floating around in Caribbean water and suddenly there’s a sea turtle swimming nearby like this is just another Tuesday.

Meanwhile, you’re trying not to lose your mind. I managed to get one of the turtles on video.

If you go snorkeling in Puerto Rico, remember that you’re entering the animals’ environment. Give wildlife space, don’t touch or chase the turtles, and follow the instructions of your guide or any posted local rules.

Take your pictures and videos. But let the turtles turtle.

Try Glow-in-the-Dark Night Kayaking

Snorkeling wasn’t our only water adventure.

We also went glow-in-the-dark night kayaking, which was such a fun addition to a birthday trip.

Kayaking after dark already feels completely different from being on the water during the day, and adding blacklights and see-through kayaks to the experience made it even more memorable.

It’s also a good example of why I wouldn’t plan a Puerto Rico trip around sightseeing alone. There are plenty of activities that let you actually do something rather than spending the entire vacation moving from one landmark to another.

Beach during the day. Glowing kayak at night. I support this schedule.

Eat at Las Raíces

We need to talk about food.

One of my favorite restaurants from the trip was Las Raíces, where I had some of the best mofongo I’ve ever eaten along with some very good piña coladas and really, what else did I need?

Mofongo is traditionally made with fried green plantains that are mashed and combined with other ingredients, and if you’ve never tried it, Puerto Rico is obviously the place to fix that.

Food is one of my favorite ways to experience a destination, and Puerto Rico makes that very easy. Come hungry. Try something you haven’t eaten before and maybe order the piña colada.

You’re on vacation.

Find Your Perfect Beach

Of course, we need to talk about the beaches. You’re in the Caribbean!

Whether you want to swim, sunbathe, snorkel, relax or simply stare dramatically at the ocean while pretending you’re in a travel commercial, Puerto Rico has you covered.

Give yourself at least part of one day where the itinerary is basically: Beach. That’s it.

Not every day of vacation needs seven attractions and a color-coded schedule. Grab your swimsuit, sunscreen, water and whatever you’re currently reading. Then enjoy doing absolutely nothing for a while.

You earned it!

Get Outside San Juan—But Plan Ahead

We attempted to explore farther outside San Juan and this is where Travel Britten becomes a cautionary tale. LOL

Our Ferry Fail

My friend and I booked tickets to take a ferry to one of Puerto Rico’s smaller islands.

Great plan.

There was just one tiny problem. We didn’t realize we needed to arrive well before the scheduled departure. We showed up about 15 minutes before departure thinking we were fine. We were not fine.The ferry had already left.

Apparently purchasing a ticket and physically being at the ferry terminal are only two of the requirements for successfully taking said ferry. Who knew?

Learn from our mistake: If you’re taking the ferry to Vieques or Culebra, don’t treat the departure time like an airport gate you’re sprinting toward at the last minute. Puerto Rico Ferry currently recommends arriving at the Ceiba terminal one hour before departure, and boarding closes 10 minutes before the scheduled departure time. Check the latest schedule and requirements before your trip.

Nothing humbles you quite like standing there with tickets for a boat that is already somewhere out in the ocean. It’s exactly the kind of lesson that made my list of common travel mistakes—sometimes you don’t know what you don’t know until you’re standing there watching your plans disappear.

Our El Yunque Fail

Then there was El Yunque National Forest.

When we visited in May 2022, entry to El Yunque required a reservation, and unfortunately we learned that lesson a little too late. By the time we checked, the next available reservation wasn’t until after we would already be back home. We still drove up to the entrance, took a few pictures, and turned around, which is probably the closest I’ve ever come to visiting somewhere without actually visiting it.

Travel update: El Yunque’s system has changed since my trip. Reservations are no longer required for the main recreation areas, but entry is first-come, first-served and can be limited when parking reaches capacity. Always check the current Forest Service guidance before you go.

We made the mistake so you don’t have to.

Puerto Rico Can Be Relaxing and Adventurous

This is probably one of my favorite things about Puerto Rico.

Some vacations seem to force you to choose. Are we relaxing or are we exploring? Puerto Rico lets you do both.

We explored historic Old San Juan and the forts. We snorkeled with sea turtles. We kayaked at night. We ate good food and drank piña coladas. We spent time near the water.

And we unsuccessfully attempted both a ferry ride and El Yunque. LOL You can’t win them all. But even those mishaps became part of the story.

That’s travel for you.

It’s an Easy Caribbean Getaway for U.S. Travelers

Puerto Rico can also be particularly convenient for travelers coming from the continental United States.

Because Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, U.S. citizens traveling directly between Puerto Rico and the mainland generally don’t need a passport for the trip. The U.S. dollar is also the currency.

That removes a couple of the logistical hurdles people sometimes associate with traveling outside the continental United States while still giving you a destination with its own distinct culture, food, history and landscape.

As always, check current identification and travel requirements before your trip, particularly if your itinerary includes another country.

Give Yourself Enough Time

Could you spend a quick weekend in Puerto Rico? Sure. But if you have the flexibility, give yourself more time. Leave space for spontaneity and for things to possibly go wrong.

Maybe you’ll find a beach where you want to stay longer. Maybe someone recommends a restaurant. Maybe you’ll discover somewhere that wasn’t on your itinerary.

Or maybe you’ll miss your ferry and suddenly have several unexpected hours available.

See? Spontaneity! LOL

Why Should You Visit Puerto Rico?

One of the best reasons to visit Puerto Rico is that the island doesn’t make you choose just one type of vacation.

You can have beaches and adventure. History and culture. Food and city life. Nature and plenty of opportunities to slow down and simply enjoy being somewhere beautiful.

My second trip gave me much more of the Puerto Rico experience I’d hoped for the first time around. I celebrated my 31st birthday with a good friend, explored Old San Juan, walked through historic forts, snorkeled with sea turtles, kayaked after dark, ate incredible mofongo and learned a couple of lessons about reservations and arriving on time.

Would everything go according to plan if I did it again? Probably not but that’s half the fun. Pack your swimsuit. Bring your appetite. Double-check your reservations.

And please get to the ferry early!

August 31, 2026
Pack Like a Pro: Useful Travel Packing Tips for Your Next Adventure
Going on vacation can be thrilling. What’s not so exciting? The planning and packing beforehand.

Whether you’re a last-minute packer or a precision planner, you won’t want to miss these tips, hacks, and favorite products to make packing—and traveling!—a dream.

Over the years, I’ve picked up a few travel packing tips that make the process a whole lot easier—from organizing my suitcase with compression cubes/bags to making sure the little things I always need are actually coming with me.

Because nothing kills that vacation excitement quite like arriving at your destination and realizing the one thing you desperately need is sitting at home.

So, let’s pack like a pro!

1. Travel Packing Tips Start With a Good List

I know, I know. Making a list isn’t exactly groundbreaking advice. But it works.

Instead of throwing everything into your suitcase the night before your flight, start a packing list several days before your trip. I like breaking things into categories such as clothes, shoes, toiletries, electronics, travel documents, medications, accessories and carry-on essentials.

Keep the list somewhere convenient so you can add things whenever you remember them.

And don’t immediately throw the list away when your trip is over. If you travel frequently, save it and use it as the starting point for your next adventure.

2. Compression Cubes/Bags Are Your Friend

As someone who is absolutely capable of overpacking, anything that helps me organize my suitcase is welcome.

I use compression packing cubes, especially for keeping different types of clothing organized. Instead of digging through an entire suitcase looking for one shirt, I can separate tops, bottoms, underwear, socks or even complete outfits.

For bigger suitcases, I also use roll-up compression bags. They’re especially useful for bulkier clothing when I’m trying to reclaim some precious suitcase space.

Just remember: compression gives you more space. It does not magically make your suitcase weigh less. Unfortunately, you can absolutely compress your way into an overweight-baggage fee.

3. Pack for the Trip—and Luggage—You’re Actually Taking

I don’t have one luggage rule for every trip.

Sometimes a carry-on is plenty. Other times, depending on where I’m going and how long I’ll be there, I’m checking a suitcase. And that’s okay! The goal isn’t to prove that you can spend three weeks in Europe with one backpack and a toothbrush.

Think about the actual trip. How long will you be gone? What’s the weather? Will you have access to laundry? Are you changing cities frequently? Are you flying on airlines with restrictive baggage allowances?

If I’m moving around constantly, lighter luggage becomes much more appealing. If I’m staying somewhere longer, checking a bag may make more sense.

Pack for your trip, not someone else’s minimalist packing challenge.

4. Plan Your Outfits Before You Pack

We’ve all done it. You pack several cute outfits “just in case” and return home having worn approximately half of them.

Instead, look at your itinerary and ask yourself: What am I actually going to be doing?

If you’re spending most of your vacation walking around a city, you probably don’t need five fancy outfits. Choose pieces you can mix and match and shoes that work with multiple outfits.

This is an area where I’m still learning to take my own advice because overpacking and I have history. LOL But every unnecessary item becomes considerably less cute when you’re the one dragging the suitcase.

5. Wear Your Bulkiest Items

Trying to squeeze sneakers, boots, a jacket and a sweater into your suitcase? Wear some of the bulky stuff while you’re traveling.

Heavy shoes and outerwear take up valuable luggage space. Wearing them on the plane or train can leave more room in your suitcase without forcing you to leave them behind. You can always remove your jacket once you’re seated. Just remember that comfort still matters.

A six-hour flight is probably not the time to debut the world’s least comfortable pair of boots.

6. Bring a Reusable Water Bottle

A reusable water bottle is one of my travel must-haves, especially when I’m visiting somewhere hot.

Long sightseeing days can mean a lot of walking, and realizing you’ve barely had anything to drink all day isn’t a great way to end one. Depending on the destination and local water situation, a filtered water bottle may also be useful. Just research whether the local tap water is considered appropriate for travelers to drink rather than assuming.

When you’re flying, take your bottle through airport security empty, then fill it afterward where appropriate. It’s simple, reusable and can save you from constantly buying bottles of water throughout your trip.

7. Bring a Stain Remover—and Consider Laundry Supplies for Longer Trips

My personal suitcase staple is a Tide stain remover pen. Because apparently food tastes better when you’re wearing a shirt you don’t want to stain.

For longer trips, travel-size laundry detergent or laundry packets can also be useful. Being able to wash underwear, socks, shirts and other basics along the way means you don’t necessarily need enough clothing for every single day of a long trip.

If you’re moving between destinations, doing a little laundry can be considerably easier than dragging an enormous suitcase behind you.

Whatever liquids or detergents you bring, seal them properly. Laundry detergent exploding inside your suitcase is definitely not the kind of travel memory we’re trying to create.

8. Keep Liquids Contained

Speaking of things exploding in your suitcase…

Put toiletries and other liquids inside sealed bags or secure toiletry pouches. Shampoo does not respect boundaries.

You can also reduce how much you’re carrying by transferring products into appropriately sized travel containers. You probably don’t need an entire full-size bottle of shampoo for a four-day trip.

And if you’re flying with liquids in your carry-on, check the current security requirements that apply to the airports and countries on your itinerary before packing.

9. Keep Important Things With You

Checked luggage gets delayed. It happens. Don’t put something in your checked suitcase if losing access to it would create a serious problem.

I keep essentials like identification, wallet, phone, important travel documents, medications, electronics and valuables with me rather than putting them in checked luggage.

For longer trips, putting a change of clothes and a few basic necessities in your carry-on isn’t a bad idea either. If your checked suitcase decides to take its own vacation, at least you’ll have enough to get through the beginning of yours.

10. Pack a Personal-Item Survival Kit

There are certain things I really don’t want to travel without.

My personal must-haves include:
- Portable charger
- Travel adapter
- Headphones
- Neck pillow
- Snacks
- Medications
- Chewing gum
- ChapStick or lip gloss
The portable charger has become particularly important because I’ve experienced the joy of having my phone die while trying to order a rideshare. Would not recommend.

The adapter is another big one for international travel. Check which plug type and voltage standards your destination uses before you leave rather than discovering after arrival that none of your chargers fit the wall.

And then there’s the ChapStick. I may be willing to navigate unfamiliar transportation, travel alone, deal with delayed trains and figure things out as I go.

But I refuse to travel the world with chapped lips. We all have our boundaries. LOL

11. Leave Some Room in Your Suitcase

If your suitcase requires you to sit on top of it to get it closed before you’ve even left home, we have a problem. Leave some space!

You may buy souvenirs. You may go shopping. You may discover something at your destination that absolutely has to come home with you. Even if you buy nothing, somehow your belongings seem to expand during vacation.

I don’t know how. It’s one of life’s great mysteries. Give yourself some breathing room from the beginning.

12. Weigh Your Bag Before You Leave

I use a luggage scale because airport check-in is not where I want to discover that I’ve packed too much. Especially considering my previously mentioned relationship with overpacking.

Check the baggage allowance for your particular airline, route and fare before you leave. If you’re using multiple airlines during the same trip, check each one rather than assuming the rules will be identical.

And remember what I said about compression bags: Smaller does not mean lighter. Your suitcase may look beautifully compact while quietly plotting an overweight-baggage fee.

13. Give Yourself Time

My final packing tip might be the simplest: Don’t wait until the absolute last minute.

Packing at 1:00 a.m. before a 6:00 a.m. flight is how you end up bringing three phone chargers but forgetting underwear. Give yourself enough time to think.

Lay everything out. Check your list. Check the weather one more time. Make sure your important documents and medications are where they need to be. Then remove some of the things you know perfectly well you’re not going to use. Then pack.

Travel is unpredictable enough without creating unnecessary chaos before you’ve even left the house.

Pack Smarter, Travel Easier

You don’t need the world’s most expensive luggage or an elaborate packing system to travel well. The best travel packing tips are often the simplest ones, and a little organization goes a long way.

Make a list. Pack clothes you’ll actually wear. Use compression cubes/bags if they work for you. Keep your important things accessible. Bring water. Charge your portable battery. Weigh your suitcase. And for the love of comfortable lips, pack the ChapStick. LOL

Most importantly, remember: You probably need less than you think!

The goal isn’t to pack your entire life into a suitcase. It’s to bring what you need, leave some room for the unexpected and get out there and enjoy the adventure.

Happy travels!
August 30, 2026
Top Mistakes Travelers Make (and What to Do Instead!)

Even the most seasoned travelers make mistakes.

Maybe you packed way too much, missed a connection, forgot to check the weather, or arrived at your destination only to realize the attraction you couldn’t wait to visit is closed on Tuesdays.

It happens.

I’ve definitely made my share of travel mistakes over the years. Some were inconvenient, some cost me money, and some left me walking around with blisters on my feet. But that’s also part of becoming a better traveler—you learn what works, what doesn’t, and what you definitely won’t do again.

Whether you’re planning your first big trip or you’re already collecting passport stamps, here are 15 common travel mistakes I’ve learned to avoid.

1. Overplanning Every Minute of Your Trip

I understand the temptation.

You’ve spent money getting there, you have a limited amount of vacation time, and you want to SEE EVERYTHING.

So you create an itinerary that looks something like:

8:00 — Breakfast
8:30 — Museum
10:00 — Walking tour
12:00 — Lunch
1:00 — Attraction
2:30 — Another attraction
4:00 — Somehow another attraction
6:00 — Dinner

By Day 3, you need a vacation from your vacation.

What to do instead

Choose a few priorities for each day and leave some breathing room. You may discover somewhere you want to spend longer, lunch may take two hours, or you may wake up exhausted and decide that sitting at a café sounds significantly better than visiting your fourth museum.

Leave room for the unexpected. Some of the best travel experiences happen when you aren’t following an itinerary at all.

2. Packing Way Too Much

I am absolutely guilty of this one.

Overpacking sounds harmless until you’re the person dragging a heavy suitcase through an airport, train station, up a flight of stairs, or across a cobblestone street wondering why you thought you needed all of this stuff.

And somehow, despite bringing enough clothes to survive a month, you’ll probably keep reaching for the same few outfits.

What to do instead

Pack versatile pieces that you can mix and match. Plan outfits instead of throwing random clothes into your suitcase, and use packing or compression cubes to keep things organized.

Before you close your suitcase, take another look and ask yourself: Am I actually going to use this?

If the answer is “maybe,” that’s probably something you can leave at home.

3. Not Researching Your Destination

Spontaneity is great. Being completely unprepared isn’t.

You don’t need to create a 40-page research document before every vacation, but you should understand the basics of where you’re going.

What to do instead

Before your trip, research things like local transportation, currency and payment methods, typical weather, cultural customs, major holidays, neighborhoods, common tourist scams, entry requirements and emergency information.

Also check opening days and hours for anything you’re especially excited to visit.

A little preparation can prevent a lot of unnecessary stress and help you avoid some of the most common travel mistakes before your trip even begins.

4. Forgetting to Check Your Passport and Entry Requirements

Imagine planning an amazing international vacation and discovering shortly before departure that your passport has expired.

No thank you.

Even having a passport that hasn’t technically expired may not always be enough. Some countries require your passport to remain valid for a certain amount of time beyond your trip, and entry requirements can change.

What to do instead

Check your passport well before an international trip and verify the current entry requirements for your destination using official government sources.

Don’t rely solely on something you read in a three-year-old blog post or random social media comment. Travel requirements change.

5. Wearing the Wrong Shoes

Learn from my feet. I’ve made the mistake of wearing the wrong shoes for a day involving a lot of walking and ended up with blisters. Not exactly the souvenir I was hoping to bring home LOL

You may walk considerably more while traveling than you normally do at home. Add cobblestones, hills, stairs, airports, train stations and hours of sightseeing, and the wrong shoes can make an otherwise great day miserable.

What to do instead

Bring comfortable, broken-in shoes appropriate for what you’re actually planning to do.

And please don’t make a vacation the first time you wear brand-new walking shoes for eight hours. Your feet deserve better.

6. Packing for the Weather You Think You’re Going to Have

I’ve done this too.

You imagine your destination is going to be cold, so you pack warm clothes and then arrive to surprisingly beautiful weather with a suitcase full of things that suddenly feel completely unnecessary.

The opposite can be much worse. Weather doesn’t care what you pictured when you booked the trip.

What to do instead

Look at seasonal averages when you’re planning, but check the actual forecast shortly before you leave. Layers are your friend when temperatures could vary, and some kind of rain protection is usually worth considering.

If the weather ends up being better than expected, that’s a travel mistake I’ll happily accept.

7. Ignoring Your Phone and Battery Situation

Having a phone while traveling is incredibly useful—until it isn’t.

I once ran out of battery while I was trying to order a rideshare. That is a particularly inconvenient moment to discover that your phone is now essentially a very expensive black rectangle.

What to do instead

Charge your phone before heading out for a long day and carry a charged portable battery when you can.

Before international travel, also check what your carrier charges for data and roaming. Depending on your phone and destination, an international plan, local SIM or eSIM may make more sense.

Download important things ahead of time too: offline maps, tickets, reservations, hotel addresses and transportation information. If your phone is one of your most-used travel tools, I also put together 15 of my favorite free travel apps for solo travelers.

Don’t make your phone your only backup plan.

8. Not Understanding How You’re Paying for the Trip

This is one I learned when I was younger.

I used my credit card to pay for things without really understanding what using credit meant, how interest worked, or how much those purchases could eventually cost me.

When you’re excited about a trip, it’s very easy for “I’ll pay for it later” to become Future You’s problem. Unfortunately, Future You eventually becomes Present You.

What to do instead

Know what you’re spending and understand the payment method you’re using.

If you’re putting travel expenses on a credit card, understand the interest rate and how you’ll repay the balance. A $500 travel expense can cost considerably more if you’re carrying that balance and paying interest.

Also research foreign transaction fees and ATM fees before traveling internationally. Travel is supposed to give you memories—not a financial hangover that follows you home.

9. Keeping All Your Money in One Place

Wallet stolen? Bag lost? Card suddenly doesn’t work?

If every financial resource you have is sitting inside the same wallet, one problem can quickly become a much bigger one.

What to do instead

Have a backup payment method and, where practical and secure, don’t store everything in exactly the same place.

You don’t need to travel with a suitcase full of cash. You just don’t want one lost wallet or declined card to leave you completely stranded.

10. Booking Accommodations Based Only on Price

You found an unbelievably cheap hotel. Congratulations! There’s just one problem.

It’s an hour away from everything you actually came to see. A cheap room isn’t necessarily cheap if you’re spending extra money-and a huge amount of time-getting back and forth every day.

What to do instead

Look at the total value, not just the nightly price.

Consider location, transportation, neighborhood, reviews, amenities, additional fees, safety and comfort. Especially when traveling solo, I’d rather pay a little more for somewhere that makes getting around easier and where I feel comfortable returning at the end of the day.

Travel Britten note: This is exactly why I compare more than the nightly rate when looking for accommodations. You can read my 15 Tips for Finding Cheap Travel Accommodations for more ways to save without automatically choosing the cheapest room.

11. Being Too Cheap

I’m a big fan of budget travel. But there’s a difference between being budget-conscious and making yourself miserable to save $8.

Taking three buses and adding four hours to your journey isn’t necessarily a bargain. Neither is staying somewhere you hate or skipping every experience you’re excited about because it costs money.

What to do instead

Decide where you’re willing to save and where you want to splurge.

Maybe you choose an inexpensive hotel so you can afford an amazing excursion. Maybe you eat cheaply most days so you can enjoy one special restaurant.

Your travel budget should help you experience the destination, not prevent you from enjoying it.

12. Forgetting About Travel and Connection Time

I’ve learned this lesson firsthand.

I’ve missed a connecting train after arriving late to the first one. That’s the problem with planning connections as though every piece of transportation will operate exactly according to your schedule. Sometimes it won’t.

And even when everything is running properly, getting from Point A to Point B usually takes longer than the actual journey listed on your ticket.

What to do instead

Give yourself breathing room for important connections whenever possible.

And when you’re changing cities, remember that a two-hour train ride doesn’t necessarily mean a two-hour travel day.

You still have to check out, get to the station, find your platform, wait, travel, get from the next station to your accommodation and check in. Don’t build an itinerary as if teleportation exists.

Unfortunately, we’re not there yet.

13. Only Visiting Tourist Attractions

Famous attractions are famous for a reason. Go see them!

But if your entire vacation consists of moving from one major tourist attraction to another, you may miss some of the destination’s personality.

What to do instead

Walk around a neighborhood. Visit a local market. Try a restaurant away from the busiest tourist area. Sit in a park. Take public transportation. Stop at the little café that looks interesting.

Give yourself opportunities to experience everyday life in the destination too. Some of my favorite parts of traveling have nothing to do with checking another famous attraction off a list.

14. Ignoring Your Instincts

This one matters, particularly when you’re traveling solo.

You don’t have to stay somewhere, continue an interaction or put yourself in an uncomfortable situation simply because you don’t want to appear rude.

What to do instead

If something doesn’t feel right, change the situation.

Leave. Move somewhere busier. Go inside a business. Change transportation. Contact someone you trust. Ask hotel staff for help. You don’t need to prove that your concern was justified before acting on it.

Getting yourself somewhere you feel comfortable matters more than worrying about whether you’re overreacting.

15. Expecting Everything to Go According to Plan

Your flight gets delayed. It rains. The museum is closed. You miss your train. Your luggage apparently decides it would rather vacation somewhere else.

Welcome to travel.

What to do instead

Build flexibility into your plans. Have backups for the things that really matter and learn to laugh at some of the things that don’t. Some of the most common travel mistakes happen simply because we expect everything to work exactly the way we planned.

A travel mishap can feel disastrous in the moment and become one of the stories you tell for years. Sometimes Plan B ends up being better anyway.

The Biggest Travel Mistake? Being Afraid to Go.

It’s easy to spend so much time worrying about everything that could go wrong that you never actually take the trip. You won’t do everything perfectly. Neither will experienced travelers. That’s okay.

Do your research. Prepare for the things you can control. Be flexible about the things you can’t. Learn from the mistakes you make along the way and keep traveling.

Because eventually you realize something: Being a good traveler isn’t about never making mistakes. It’s about getting better at handling them.

August 29, 2026
How to Find Cheap Travel Accommodations

Traveling doesn’t have to break the bank.

One of the biggest expenses you’ll encounter when planning a trip is accommodations. Between hotels, vacation rentals, hostels, and resorts, finding somewhere affordable to sleep can sometimes feel like a vacation-planning nightmare.

The good news? There are plenty of ways to save money on accommodations without sacrificing comfort, safety, or your entire travel experience.

Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a month-long adventure, here are some of my favorite ways to find cheap travel accommodations.

1. Don’t book the first hotel you find

You’ve picked your destination, searched for hotels, and found one that looks cute.

Don’t hit “Book” just yet.

Take a few minutes to compare prices and properties first. I like using a hotel search tool to get a quick look at prices, ratings, locations and different booking options before choosing a property. The same hotel-or comparable properties nearby-may have different rates depending on where and when you’re searching.

More importantly, pay attention to what’s actually included in the advertised price. That $89 room isn’t much of a bargain if another $50 in fees magically appears at checkout.

Compare the total cost, not just the nightly rate.

2. Be flexible with your travel dates

Flexibility can save you serious money.

Accommodation prices can change dramatically depending on the day of the week, season, holidays, local events, and overall demand. Before locking yourself into specific dates, see what happens if you move your trip around a little.

What if you arrive Tuesday instead of Friday? What about one week earlier or later?

This is one of the advantages of solo travel. If you don’t have to coordinate schedules with several other people, you may have more freedom to choose the dates that work best for your budget.

Use that freedom to your advantage.

3. Travel during the shoulder season

Everyone wants to visit a destination when the weather is perfect. Unfortunately, hotels know that.

Instead, consider traveling during shoulder season, the period between a destination’s peak and off-season. Depending on where you’re going, you may find lower accommodation prices, smaller crowds, and still-pretty-good weather.

And honestly? I’ll happily take slightly less-than-perfect weather if it means paying significantly less and not fighting through enormous crowds everywhere I go.

4. Look beyond the tourist center

Location matters. A lot.

Hotels directly beside major attractions usually charge accordingly, so look a few neighborhoods away. You may find significantly cheaper accommodations while still being able to reach everything you want to see by public transportation.

But don’t choose based on price alone. Check the public transportation options, how late they operate, transportation costs, neighborhood reviews, and how you’ll get back to your accommodation at night.

Saving $30 on a hotel isn’t much of a victory if you’re spending $40 every day getting into the city.

5. Consider hostels—even if you’re not 21

Hear me out.

Hostels aren’t just for broke college students backpacking across Europe.

I’ve stayed in quite a few hostels during my travels, and some of them have honestly been some of my favorite places to stay. Galway City Hostel is still one of the best hostels I’ve stayed in, and I’ve also had great experiences with St. Christopher’s hostels in Amsterdam, Edinburgh, London, and Barcelona, as well as TOC Hostel in Málaga.

A good hostel can be especially great when you’re traveling solo. Besides usually being more affordable than a hotel, hostels can give you opportunities to meet other travelers without forcing you to spend your entire trip with them. Many also offer private rooms if sharing a dorm isn’t your thing.

That said, not every hostel experience is a great one. Abbey Court Hostel in Dublin was my least favorite of the hostels I’ve stayed in, which is why I always recommend reading recent reviews instead of assuming every conveniently located hostel will be right for you.

Pay attention to location, security, cleanliness, room setup, lockers, bathrooms, and overall atmosphere. I also like checking hostel booking sites for recent traveler reviews and photos before deciding. Some hostels are basically one giant party. Others are surprisingly quiet.

Choose what works for you.

6. Don’t automatically rule out hotels

Budget travel doesn’t mean you have to sleep in a hostel every night.

Some of my favorite stays have actually been hotels. I’ve had especially good experiences at Maldron hotels in Limerick and Glasgow.

If a hotel gives me a comfortable room, convenient location, and amenities that make my trip easier, I’m willing to compare the overall value instead of automatically choosing whichever option has the lowest nightly rate.

Sometimes spending a little more gives you considerably more.

7. Consider a vacation rental

Hotels aren’t always the cheapest option.

Depending on your destination, length of stay, and number of people traveling, a vacation rental may offer better value. Having a kitchen can also save money because you won’t need to eat every meal at a restaurant.

But again: Check the final price.

Cleaning fees and other charges can turn what initially looks like a bargain into something considerably less exciting.

8. Pay attention to what’s included

The cheapest room isn’t always the cheapest stay.

Look at what you’re getting for the price. Breakfast, Wi-Fi, parking, kitchen facilities, laundry, airport transportation, and nearby public transit can all affect how much you ultimately spend.

Parking is especially important if you’re taking a road trip. A cheap downtown hotel with expensive overnight parking could easily cost more than another hotel with a slightly higher nightly rate.

Free breakfast can make a surprisingly big difference too. Never underestimate the power of free food. If two hotels cost roughly the same and one includes breakfast, I’ll take the breakfast.

Neither option is glamorous. Neither is paying $17 for eggs every morning. Choose your battle.

9. A kitchen can save you more than you think

This is particularly useful on longer trips.

Apartment-style hotels, vacation rentals, hostels with communal kitchens, and extended-stay properties can make it easier to cut down on food expenses.

You don’t have to cook elaborate meals on vacation. Buy some breakfast foods. Make sandwiches. Keep drinks and snacks in the refrigerator. Cook dinner occasionally.

Eating is one of my favorite parts of traveling, so I’m definitely not suggesting you eliminate restaurants. Just don’t feel like every meal needs to cost $30.

10. Compare refundable and non-refundable rates carefully

You may see a lower rate if you agree to a non-refundable reservation. That can save money. It can also cost you money if your plans change.

Before choosing the cheapest option, think about how certain you are about the trip. Sometimes paying a little more for flexibility is worth it. Cheap travel isn’t just about finding the lowest possible number. It’s about finding good value.

11. Check for longer-stay discounts

Planning to stay awhile?

Check whether the property offers weekly, monthly, or extended-stay discounts. Some accommodations reduce the nightly rate when you stay longer.

This can be particularly useful for slow travelers or anyone spending several weeks in one destination and staying longer has another benefit: You actually get to experience the place instead of racing through it.

12. Read the recent reviews

Please don’t skip this step.

A suspiciously cheap hotel might be an incredible deal or there might be a reason it’s suspiciously cheap. Read recent reviews and look for patterns. One person complaining doesn’t necessarily mean much. Twenty people mentioning the same problem? Pay attention.

For solo female travelers especially, I look closely at what people say about the neighborhood, transportation, staff, cleanliness, security, lighting around the property, and what it’s like getting back at night.

Saving money matters. Feeling comfortable where you’re staying matters more!

13. Don’t sacrifice safety for a bargain

This deserves its own section.

I’ve traveled on a budget, and I love saving money as much as anyone. But there is a point where cheaper isn’t better. If an accommodation or neighborhood makes you uncomfortable, don’t book it simply because it’s $20 less.

For solo travelers, where you stay can have a major impact on how comfortable you feel during the entire trip. I’d rather spend slightly more for a location where I feel comfortable returning after dinner than save money and spend every evening worrying about getting back to my room.

Budget-conscious does not have to mean cheapest at all costs.

14. Book early—but keep checking

Booking ahead can give you more choices, particularly for popular destinations or busy travel periods. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you should book something and never look again.

If you’ve reserved a refundable rate, occasionally check prices before your trip. If the same room—or a better option—drops significantly in price, you may be able to change your reservation.

Just make absolutely sure you understand the cancellation terms before touching an existing booking.

15. Figure out what the accommodation will really cost you

Imagine you find two hotels.

Hotel A: $70 per night
Hotel B: $95 per night

Hotel A looks like the obvious winner.

But then you discover Hotel A charges for breakfast, requires expensive transportation into town, and has terrible reviews.

Hotel B includes breakfast, is beside a metro station, and is within walking distance of several places you want to visit.

Suddenly that $25 difference doesn’t look quite the same.

When I’m comparing accommodations, the question I really want answered is: What will this place actually cost me during the entire stay? That’s the number that matters.

Cheap Travel Accommodations Don’t Have to Mean Bad Accommodations

Traveling on a budget is about making smarter choices, not making yourself miserable.

Be flexible. Compare your options. Look at hostels, hotels, and vacation rentals. Check transportation. Pay attention to amenities. Read recent reviews. And don’t sacrifice your safety or comfort just so you can say you found the cheapest room.

The money you save on accommodations can go toward the things you’re actually traveling for:

Experiences. Food. Activities. Another destination. Or maybe just another trip.

And I’m definitely voting for another trip!

August 28, 2026
St. Patrick’s Day in Galway: Connemara, Cliffs & More

There aren’t enough words in the English—or Irish—language to describe just how fantastic the city of Galway is.

I visited in March 2023, and spending St. Patrick’s Day in Galway turned into one of the highlights of my Ireland trip. Between the festivities, ridiculously good food, pub nights and day trips through western Ireland, Galway gave me plenty of reasons to fall in love with the city.

If colorful streets, traditional Irish music, cozy pubs, dramatic landscapes and friendly locals sound like your kind of vacation, Galway deserves a spot on your Ireland itinerary.

And if you happen to visit during St. Patrick’s Day? Even better.

Why Galway?

When most people plan their first trip to Ireland, Dublin naturally gets most of the attention. But Galway offers a completely different experience.

Located on Ireland’s west coast, Galway has that lively energy you’d expect from an Irish city while still feeling intimate enough to wander around without a strict itinerary. Spend some time walking through the city center, listen to street musicians, pop into a pub, grab something to eat and simply enjoy being there.

Sometimes the best travel memories come from the moments you didn’t schedule.

I stayed at Galway City Hostel in Eyre Square, and to this day, it’s the best hostel I’ve stayed in. The location also made it incredibly convenient for exploring the city.

St. Patrick’s Day in Galway

If you’re considering spending St. Patrick’s Day in Galway, I absolutely recommend it.

One of the things that surprised me most about the parade was how diverse it was. Before visiting, it would have been easy to picture an Irish St. Patrick’s Day celebration as a mostly white Irish crowd. Instead, I saw people of different races, ethnicities and nationalities participating in the festivities.

I loved seeing that! It made the celebration feel less like something being put on solely for tourists and more like an entire community coming together.

And don’t make the mistake of thinking St. Patrick’s Day is only about drinking. Being in Ireland for the holiday gave me a chance to experience Irish culture, music and community in a way I couldn’t have gotten from simply going out for green beer back home.

Of course, there was still plenty of pub time. I joined a pub crawl while I was there, with stops that included Darcy’s Bar and The King’s Head. Galway is exactly the kind of place where you can spend the day exploring and somehow find yourself in a pub listening to music later that evening.

Come to Galway Hungry

Now we need to discuss something equally important: the food.

My favorite restaurant in Galway, by far, was The Dough Bros on Middle Street. I ordered the Hey Pesto pizza, and magnificent is genuinely the word I would use to describe it.

I’m not saying you should plan your entire Galway itinerary around pizza. But I’m also not saying you shouldn’t.

And then there was Murphy’s Ice Cream, where I tried the Baileys Irish Cream ice cream. Ireland was apparently determined to make sure I consumed Irish cream in as many forms as possible, and I had no complaints.

What is Galway weather like in March?

March in Ireland can be chilly, wet and windy, so pack accordingly.

During my trip, though, the weather wasn’t nearly as bad as I had expected. It rained off and on and temperatures were definitely on the chilly side, but as long as I dressed warmly, it was completely manageable.

My advice? Keep a rain poncho orjacket handy.

I wouldn’t put too much faith in an umbrella. Galway can get windy enough that your umbrella may end up fighting for its own life instead of keeping you dry.

Layers and a poncho were much more practical for me.

Take a day trip through Connemara

One of my favorite experiences outside Galway was an organized day trip through Connemara, Cong and Kylemore Abbey.

Connemara is exactly the kind of scenery you imagine when you picture Ireland: mountains, lakes, winding roads and seemingly endless stretches of green countryside.

And somehow, we got lucky with the weather. For a March trip to western Ireland, I’ll take that win.

Visit Kylemore Abbey

Kylemore Abbey was absolutely stunning.

Surrounded by the Connemara landscape, the abbey looks like something straight out of a fairytale. It was every bit as picturesque as I had hoped, and this is definitely somewhere you want enough time to explore rather than treating it as a quick photo stop.

The combination of the architecture and scenery makes it very easy to take far more pictures than you planned.

Explore Cong

Our day trip also stopped in Cong, a small village that was a nice contrast to Galway.

Film fans may recognize Cong as one of the filming locations associated with The Quiet Man, starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara. Even if the movie isn’t on your watchlist, the village is still a charming place to walk around and take in the surroundings.

Sometimes you don’t need a massive list of attractions. You just need somewhere interesting to wander.

Don’t miss the Cliffs of Moher

And then there were the Cliffs of Moher.

They’re one of Ireland’s most famous attractions for a reason. On the way there, we had some drizzle. On the way back, we had some drizzle. But while I was actually at the cliffs? The rain stopped and the sun came out.

It was perfect!

Standing along Ireland’s Atlantic coast looking out over the water is one of those travel experiences photographs simply can’t reproduce. After worrying that Irish weather might obscure the whole experience, getting that little window of sunshine felt like hitting the travel jackpot.

That said, still bring your layers and rain gear.

This is Ireland, after all.

Give Galway more than one day

One mistake I’d avoid is treating Galway as nothing more than a quick stop between Dublin and the Cliffs of Moher. Stay awhile.

Use Galway as your base. Explore the city. Take a day trip into Connemara. Visit Kylemore Abbey and Cong. Head down toward the Cliffs of Moher.

And leave yourself some unscheduled time.

Walk around.

Listen to the music.

Have a drink.

Talk to people.

Order the pizza. 👀

That’s part of the fun.

Should you spend St. Patrick’s Day in Galway?

Absolutely.

If celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland has been sitting on your bucket list, don’t automatically assume you have to spend it in Dublin.

Galway gave me the celebration I was hoping for, but it also gave me great food, new friends, pub nights, beautiful scenery and easy access to some of western Ireland‘s most memorable places.

I went expecting to enjoy Galway. I didn’t expect to love it quite as much as I did. In fact, I loved it so much that I skipped my flight home and stayed an extra week!

Come for St. Patrick’s Day. Stay for Galway. And don’t be surprised if you leave already thinking about when you can come back.

August 27, 2026
15 Best Free Travel Apps for Solo Travelers in 2026

Traveling solo can be incredibly freeing. You’re in control of the destination, itinerary, budget, and perhaps most importantly—where you’re eating dinner.

But traveling alone also means you’re the navigator, translator, itinerary planner, transportation coordinator, budget manager, and emergency problem solver.

That’s where your phone comes in.

The right free travel apps can help you navigate unfamiliar cities, communicate when you don’t speak the language, organize reservations, find transportation, track spending, and avoid standing on a street corner wondering:

“Okay…where am I?”

Even better? You don’t necessarily have to pay for them.

Whether you’re planning your first solo international adventure or you’re already collecting passport stamps, these are some of the best free travel apps to download before your next trip.

A quick note about “free”: Some apps on this list are completely free, while others offer a useful free tier with optional paid features. Features and pricing can change, so always check the app before your trip.

1. Google Maps

Best for: Navigation and saving places

If I could only download one travel app, Google Maps would be pretty high on the list. It’s useful for much more than getting directions. Before a trip, I like saving places I’m interested in visiting:

Restaurants/Cafés

Museums

Attractions

Hotels

Train stations

Viewpoints

Beaches

Then when I’m actually exploring, I can open the map and see what’s nearby instead of searching from scratch.

Solo travel tip:

Save your accommodation immediately.

After a long travel day, the last thing you want is realizing you can’t remember the exact address of your hotel. Also download the relevant map area for offline use when available before heading somewhere where your connection may be unreliable.

Your future lost self will thank you.

2. Google Translate

Best for: Language barriers

If you’re traveling somewhere you don’t speak the language, Google Translate deserves a spot on your phone.

You can translate text, speech, and images, which makes the camera feature especially useful in understanding what’s in front of you. You can also download supported languages before your trip for offline translation. Do this before you need it. Airport Wi-Fi is not where I want to discover that I forgot to download Spanish.

Solo travel tip:

Save a few useful phrases too.

Things like:

“Where is the train station?”

“I have a reservation.”

“Can you help me?”

“Where is the bathroom?”

And any phrases related to dietary restrictions or allergies that are important to you.

Technology is helpful, but knowing a few words yourself goes a long way.

3. Wanderlog

Best for: Organizing your itinerary

If your travel planning currently consists of: 17 browser tabs, screenshots, emails, Pinterest boards, saved TikToks, Google Maps pins, and a Notes app document called EUROPE TRIP FINAL FINAL 3…

You may want an itinerary app. Wanderlog lets you organize different pieces of your trip in one place. You can build an itinerary, save places, organize reservations, and visualize locations on a map.

That’s especially helpful for multi-city trips where you’re juggling hotels, trains, flights, and activities.

Solo travel tip:

Don’t schedule every minute simply because the app lets you. Use your itinerary as a guide. Leave room to wander.

4. Rome2Rio

Best for: Figuring out how to get from A to B

This one is particularly useful when you’re traveling between cities or countries and don’t know what transportation options exist.

You enter where you are and where you’re going. Then use the results to understand possible routes involving trains, buses, flights, ferries, or combinations of transportation.

I especially like tools like this during the planning stage.

Maybe you assumed you needed to fly between two cities and discover there’s a convenient train instead. Or maybe that “quick” day trip you were planning actually involves an exhausting transportation marathon.

Better to know before you book.

Important:

Use route-planning apps to research your options, but verify schedules, fares, and tickets with the actual transportation provider before relying on them.

5. TripIt

Best for: Keeping reservations together

Travel confirmations have a mysterious ability to disappear into your inbox precisely when you’re standing at the hotel desk trying to find them.

TripIt can help organize your travel plans into an itinerary. Flights. Hotels. Rental cars. Reservations.

Instead of searching your email repeatedly, you can keep the trip organized in one place. This becomes especially useful when you’re taking a longer or multi-destination trip.

Solo travel tip:

Organization isn’t just convenient when you’re traveling alone. It can reduce stress. You don’t have another person standing beside you saying: “Don’t worry, I have the reservation.” You are that person!

6. Skyscanner

Best for: Searching for flights

If you’re flexible about where or when you travel, flight-search tools can help you explore possibilities.

Skyscanner is useful for comparing flight options and getting a general idea of what different destinations or dates might cost.

I particularly like using flight-search tools during the inspiration stage. Maybe you know you want to travel in October but don’t know where. Start comparing. You might discover somewhere unexpected.

Travel Britten tip:

Don’t automatically book the first flight you see. Compare:

Flight times

Layovers

Baggage allowance

Airport location

Cancellation/change terms

Total cost

That $49 flight stops looking quite as exciting when the baggage fee costs more than the ticket.

7. Google Flights

Best for: Comparing airfare and flexible dates

Okay, technically this isn’t a traditional standalone travel app in the same way as some of the others. But it’s too useful to leave off the list. Google Flights is one of my favorite starting points for comparing airfare.

If your travel dates are flexible, compare nearby days. Sometimes leaving a day earlier or later can make a noticeable difference.

And if you’re flexible about the destination? Even better!

Budget travel tip:

Check nearby airports too.

Just remember to calculate the transportation cost between that alternate airport and where you’re actually going. Saving $60 on airfare isn’t particularly impressive if getting from the airport costs another $90.

8. XE Currency

Best for: Currency conversion

International travel math: “Okay, that’s 47 euros…carry the one…divide by…you know what, I’ll just buy it.”

A currency-conversion app makes life easier. It’s especially helpful during the first few days in a new country while your brain is still adjusting to the exchange rate.

Use it when: Shopping. Comparing hotels. Looking at restaurant menus. Checking transportation prices. Deciding whether that adorable souvenir is actually adorable enough to cost that much.

Solo travel tip:

Learn a few rough conversions too. You shouldn’t need your phone every single time you buy a coffee.

9. Splitwise

Best for: Trips with friends

Yes, this is a solo-travel article. But solo travelers have friends. Sometimes.

If part of your trip involves meeting friends, joining someone for a weekend, or transitioning from solo travel into a group trip, expense-splitting tools can make things much easier.

One person pays for dinner. Someone else buys train tickets. Another pays for the taxi.

Three days later: “Wait…who owes who?” Track it as you go. Your friendships will thank you.

Note: Splitwise still offers a free tier, but free users may encounter a daily limit on how many expenses they can add. Splitwise Pro removes that limit.

10. WhatsApp

Best for: Staying connected internationally

Depending on where you travel, WhatsApp can become extremely useful.

Hotels, tour operators, hosts, guides, restaurants, and people you meet may use it for communication.

You can message, call, send locations, and stay in contact over data or Wi-Fi.

Solo female travel tip:

Be selective about who gets your contact information. You don’t need to exchange numbers with every person you meet simply because they ask.

And use the app’s available privacy controls in a way you’re comfortable with. Friendly does not mean obligated.

11. Organic Maps

Best for: Offline maps

If offline navigation matters to you, it’s worth having a dedicated offline mapping option as a backup. Organic Maps is based on OpenStreetMap data and is designed around offline navigation.

This can be particularly useful when you’re somewhere with:

Weak reception.

Expensive mobile data.

No signal.

Or you’re trying to conserve your battery and data usage.

Travel Britten tip:

Download what you need before leaving reliable Wi-Fi. There is a recurring theme here. Offline tools only help if you remembered to make them offline.

12. Flush

Best for: Finding a bathroom

Yes. I’m including a toilet-finding app.

Because travel bloggers can talk about dreamy sunsets and charming cobblestone streets all day long, but eventually somebody has to use the bathroom.

Apps designed to locate public toilets can be surprisingly helpful when you’re exploring an unfamiliar city. Especially when you’re traveling alone and don’t have someone to stand guard over your bags while you frantically investigate every café on the block.

Not glamorous. Very practical. You’re welcome.

13. GuruWalk

Best for: Finding walking tours

Walking tours are one of my favorite activities for solo travelers.

Why? You get an introduction to the destination, local context, someone else navigating for a couple of hours and an easy opportunity to meet other travelers.

GuruWalk connects travelers with tip-based walking tours in destinations around the world. They’re often marketed as “free walking tours,” but remember that guides generally work for tips. If you enjoyed the tour, tip your guide appropriately. Free to book does not mean your guide’s time has no value.

Solo travel tip:

Book a walking tour near the beginning of your trip. You’ll learn your way around and may discover places you want to revisit later.

14. Airline and train apps

Best for: The trip you’re actually taking

This isn’t one specific app, but it might be one of the most important categories on this list.

Download the official app for the airline, railway, bus company, or other transportation provider you’re actually using.

Why?

Because third-party apps are useful for planning. The company actually operating your flight or train is where you want to check important real-time information. Depending on the provider, its app may give you: boarding passes, platform information, delays, gate changes, booking management, notifications, ticket information, and train status.

Travel Britten tip:

Planning app = research. Official transportation app = verify. Don’t confuse the two.

15. Your banking app

Best for: The app everyone forgets is a travel app

Not technically a travel app but absolutely a travel essential. Before leaving, make sure you can access your bank and credit-card accounts from your phone.

You may need to: check your balance, move money, check transactions, lock a card, or confirm a purchase.

Solo travel tip:

Don’t keep all your financial options together. If your wallet disappears and every card you own was inside it, you’ve created a much bigger problem. Have a backup payment plan and know how to lock or report a card quickly.

Free Travel Apps I’d Download First

Fifteen apps sounds like a lot.

You absolutely do not need every app on this list for every trip.

For a first solo international trip, my basic travel-app starter pack would be:

Google Maps — navigation

Google Translate — communication

Wanderlog or TripIt — itinerary organization

Rome2Rio — transportation research

XE Currency — money

WhatsApp — communication

Official airline/train apps — real-time transportation information

Banking app — financial backup

Then add destination-specific apps based on where you’re going.

Going to Madrid? Look at Madrid’s transportation tools. Taking trains around Italy? Download the official railway apps you’re using. Spending three weeks hopping between European cities? Your app collection will look different from someone spending five days at a resort in Puerto Rico.

Your phone should support your trip, not become another thing you have to manage.

Download these things before you leave

Here’s something I wish more travelers did.
Before your trip, while you have reliable Wi-Fi, download or save:

Offline maps

Offline language packs

Boarding passes

Train tickets

Hotel addresses

Reservation confirmations

Travel insurance information

Important phone numbers

Copies of critical travel information

Emergency information for your destination

Do not assume you’ll always have Wi-Fi.

Do not assume your data will work immediately.

Do not assume your battery will last all day.

Don’t assume the airport Wi-Fi will cooperate when you’re already stressed.

Prepare while everything is working.

Don’t let your phone become the entire vacation

Travel apps are amazing. Use them. But occasionally? Put your phone away. You don’t need Google Maps directing you every second.

Walk around. Look up. Ask someone a question. Sit at the café. Watch what’s happening around you. Take the picture and then actually look at the thing you traveled thousands of miles to see.

Technology should make travel easier. It shouldn’t prevent you from experiencing it.

Travel smarter, not harder

Solo travel teaches you pretty quickly that you’re capable of figuring things out.

You’ll navigate unfamiliar transportation, order food in another language, get lost, find your way back, change plans, solve problems, and probably have a few moments where you think: “I can’t believe I actually did this by myself!”

Travel apps don’t replace those experiences. They simply make some of the logistics easier. Download the ones that make sense for your trip.

Prepare your offline tools and keep your important information organized. Charge your phone and pack a portable battery.

After that? Go explore. You’ve got this!

August 26, 2026